George Pickens is playing on a $27.298 million franchise tag for the Cowboys in 2026, and let me tell you, that is an absolute steal for Dallas. When the market for wide receivers is sitting north of $42 million, getting Pickens locked in for millions less is a massive win for the front office. But here’s the kicker: this sweet deal on Pickens just sets up one heck of a dilemma for the Cowboys that’s gonna have everyone talking.
The Tag Tangle: Pickens vs. Porter Jr.
See, the Cowboys got Pickens at a bargain in 2026, and they could even tag him again in 2027 for $32.758 million. That’s still a huge discount compared to what the top receivers are getting. But they also have another star on the roster, cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who they could tag at a number way below the top of his market, too. The problem? Every single team in the league gets one franchise tag per year. Just one. That means Dallas can’t tag both Pickens and Porter Jr. It’s one or the other, and that’s where the real drama starts.
The High-Stakes Player Playbook
This one-tag rule sets up some seriously compelling negotiations. Dallas is probably already working overtime trying to get one of these guys signed to a long-term deal so they can slap that tag on the other. But here’s where it gets interesting: Pickens and Porter Jr. are both represented by David Mulugheta of Athletes First. And get this, players are allowed to collude. So, a potential strategy for these two could be to totally refuse to negotiate until that tag deadline comes and goes. If they play it right, one guy gets tagged, sure, but the other one gets a straight shot at the open market, free to sign wherever they want for top dollar.
So what’s next? The Cowboys have to figure out this mess fast. Are they going to lock up one of these guys long-term and risk the other hitting the open market? Or will Mulugheta’s strategy pay off for his clients? It’s a high-stakes game of chicken coming up for Dallas, and we’ll be watching to see who blinks first.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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